Where did the Kyi-Leo come from?

The Kyi-Leo is from the United States. This hybrid dog is the result of crossing a Lhasa Apso with a Maltese. The initial breeding occurred accidentally in the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1950s. Recognizing the potential of this mix, breeders began to develop the Kyi-Leo intentionally. The name “Kyi-Leo” combines “Kyi,” meaning “dog” in Tibetan, and “Leo,” meaning “lion” in Latin, reflecting the breed’s appearance and heritage.